Chapter 3

Sophie covered her cheek and looked at me, her eyes red.

"F-Fiona..."

Ian stepped in front of her almost instinctively.

He stared at me, anger burning in his eyes.

"Fiona, have you lost your mind?"

I ignored him and kept my eyes on Sophie.

"Did you tear up my certificates?"

She avoided my eyes, her voice betraying her guilt.

"What certificates? I don't know what you're talking about."

I set a box full of shredded certificates in front of her.

Ian stared at them, stunned.

He knew how hard I'd worked to earn those certificates.

For years, I'd worked during the day and studied at night.

I'd nearly passed out more than once.

Now he saw how pale I was.

Some of his anger faded.

"Hey, calm down."

He came over and reached for my hand.

I stepped back, out of reach.

A flicker of irritation crossed his face when his hand closed on empty air.

"Your certificates were in the safe. Even I don't know the code.

"How could Sophie possibly know it?"

I looked at Sophie hiding behind Ian and smiled.

Of course she knew it.

Once, she'd told me nobody in the family ever remembered her birthday.

I promised her I always would.

I even changed all my usual passcodes to her birthday so I'd never forget.

I never imagined that old promise would one day be used against me.

Sophie stole a glance at Ian.

Then she suddenly sank to the floor in front of me, sobbing and begging.

"Fiona, I know you're mad because Ian and I got close and I took your client.

"I shouldn't have taken what was yours. It's my fault.

"You're my sister. Hit me, yell at me, do whatever you want.

"But I really didn't tear up your certificates."

Ian's expression shifted.

He helped Sophie up and looked at me with disgust.

"Are you done yet?

"Apologize to Sophie right now."

There he stood, playing the hero, while I was made out to be the jealous, spiteful villain.

I didn't say anything. I looked down and threw the shredded certificates into the trash.

Then I took off the necklace Ian had given me when he first told me he loved me and set it on the table.

It landed with a dull clink.

Ian stared at the necklace, his expression darkening.

"Threatening to break up again?"

His voice was low, his eyes burning with barely restrained anger. But there wasn't a trace of panic in his expression.

"I never thought you'd turn into this.

"Accusing your own sister with no proof, and now you're pulling the breakup card.

"Is it really that hard to admit you were wrong and apologize?"

I looked at him, then at Sophie hiding safely behind him.

My lips curled in a mocking smile.

"Let's break up. I've had enough—"

But before I could finish, Sophie cut me off.

She looked at Ian with tears streaming down her face.

"It's okay, Ian. Fiona's always had to have her way. I don't mind putting up with a little mistreatment.

"She hates me, so I'll just go. You take care of her."

Sophie still looked heartbreakingly fragile when she cried.

But it just made me sick. I turned to leave.

Sophie grabbed at me, but the next second, she stumbled into the wine cabinet beside us.

The cabinet crashed down, and shards of glass sliced across my face.

Blood streamed down my face.

Ian looked at me, and his breath hitched.

"Fi!"

He cupped my face gently, his hands shaking a little.

"It's okay. Don't be scared. I'm taking you to the hospital."

He grabbed his jacket and was about to take me out the door.

A whimper came from behind us. Sophie was on the floor, clutching her calf and looking up at Ian through her tears.

"Ian, my leg hurts so bad. I think it's dislocated...

"Please don't leave me here alone."

Ian's hand froze.

He was gripping my hand so hard it hurt.

He turned to me, and guilt flickered across his face. "Fi, can you wait a second? We'll take Sophie to the hospital with us, okay?"

Sophie let out another sob.

Ian didn't wait for my answer.

He let go of my hand and went straight to her without a second thought. He scooped her up in his arms, even though she didn't have a single scratch on her.

Sophie nestled against his chest with a smug look.

I looked like the fool who didn't belong there.

I'd lost so much blood that the room started spinning. Before I passed out, I sent my old nemesis my location and texted, "I'm hurt."

The next second, everything went black.